Product Review || Jamaican Black Castor Oil

This product is basically a staple in the regimen's of many naturals and relaxed men and women all over the world, for many years. I've heard a lot of hype about it and so I decided to test it out myself and see if it lives up to the hype.

Ingredients: Jamaican Black Castor Oil


Smell- Regular: Has a smoky type of scent. Lavender: Smells like the Lavender Terresentials Mud Wash (see review here: Terresentials Review)

Consistency- THICK. Definitely try using this with an applicator bottle and a little goes a long way.

True to the hype?- Yes. This definitely helped with scalp irritations. 

Availability- May be available in some Beauty Supply Stores but its hard to find. Your best luck would be online on Amazon or at Sams Caribbean Superstore.

Price- Varies by who is selling it but it's usually over $10 for the 8oz and maybe around $6-7 for the 4oz. At Sams Carribbean Superstore it's about $9.99 + Shipping & Tax.

Final Thoughts-  My first time trying it was when my aunt gave me a little bit to try in an empty bowl. At first, it seemed like it increased my scalp irritations but after a week or so, my scalp felt better than ever. I used it for about a month, and my hair grew about 1inch in that one month. CRAZY!! But pay attention: THIS PRODUCT WILL NOT NOW OR EVER GROW YOUR HAIR. It may stimulate your scalp, but not increase your rate of hair growth. It's probably because since I was applying to my hair, I was massaging it into my scalp (which is very good for growth stimulation, and feels amazing). I would definitely buy this again when my 8oz bottle finishes. I actually just bought it on amazon a couple of weeks ago. It was the Lavender scented one, but some people don't like the smell of lavender so it really depends on your taste. The Lavender scented bottle does not smell as smoky. You can use this with your favorite deep conditioner, or for a nice scalp massage. It's also great for sealing your ends. 

You can watch my video review right below. Rate, Comment your opinions and Subscribe. 

**Like all products, this is strictly my experience. Using it is up to your own discretion.**

Peace&Love!

Review || Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner

What it says

Let this rich conditioner indulge you from root to tip, moving moisture through your hair to quench parched strands. It's a sip of satisfaction. Why we love it: serum-infused formula for moisturized softness.
Made in USA
Massage it in, soak it up, rinse it out.

Ingredients

Water , Stearyl Alcohol , Behentrimonium Chloride , Cetyl Alcohol , Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone , Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract (Coconut) , Orchis Mascula Flower Extract , Zea Mays Silk Extract (Corn) , Fragrance , Benzyl Alcohol , Disodium EDTA , Sodium Hydroxide , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Blue 1

What I Think

Smell- It smells lovely. Think coconuts, tropical and Hawaii breeze.

Consistency- It's thick but not too thick, and I love that in all of my products. The color is a light blue.

True to the hype?- Yes. This is another product that definitely does what it says.
Availability- Available online and in-store at Target, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart or your favorite Beauty Salon.
Price- Varies by store but it's cheaper at Target (for me). $2.99/10oz, $4.99/23oz, $6.99/33oz.
Final Thoughts-  First of all, the slip is amazing. My fingers glide right through my hair with no problem so it definitely helps with the detangling. It gives my hair a lot of moisture and my hair is always soft after co-washing with it. It works well for my wash and go's, after deep conditioning and after shampooing. It actually gave me so much moisture even after my hair dried out from 2 days of tons of chlorine water. This is definitely going to be a staple for me. Of course, if your hair can't deal with silicones, you should not use this because only you know what will happen next. However if you're like me and you don't have a problem with a little silicone now and then, this is a great product to try. 
Rate: 10/10 

Product Review || Hydratherma Naturals Protein Deep Conditioner

If you've seen any of my other posts, you'll know that I've already done a short review on the Hydratherma Naturals DC. I feel like now I can do a full review because I've practically finished my trial sized bottle and have used it about 4-5 times.

What it says

Strengthens the hair and prevents breakage. With just one use, you will see and feel a difference. This treatment contains an exceptional and unique complex of structurizing proteins, all of different molecular weights. These proteins penetrate deep within the hair shaft producing benefits like no single protein can. Enriched with 10 amino acids, vitamins and botanical extracts. Strengthens each hair strand and protects the hair from harsh weather. Also provides sunscreen protection. Your hair will look and feel terrific. Superb for all hair types. For best results, use with other Hydratherma Naturals brand products. PH balanced. How to use: Shampoo hair with Hydratherma Naturals shampoo of choice. Gently towel blot hair and saturate hair with conditioner from root to tip. Cover head with plastic cap and use our Hair Therapy Wrap or sit under a warm dryer for 10-20 minutes, comb through with a wide tooth comb to remove tangles then rinse with water. Great for all hair types. For extreme deep conditioning, apply the Hydratherma Naturals Hair Growth Oil to the hair / scalp along with the deep conditioner. Cover with plastic cap and then deep condition with heat. 

Ingredients

Water/Aqua, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phytonadione, Pyridoxine HCL, Biotin, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Fragrance/Parfum, Methyl Gluceth-10, PEG-45M, Triethanolamine, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. PARABEN FREE.

What I think:

I've gotten used to the smell by now. It smells like ... I don't know. I really don't, but that's not the point! The consistency is thin so at times I was like ... is this stuff really in my hair or what? But it sure was! Anyway, after applying it to my hair, I left it in for about 60 minutes. When rinsing it out it didn't really help much with the detangling, but the breakage was so little! Obviously this isn't for you if your hair is protein sensitive because this is a protein DC but if you're like me, and your hair is THIRSTY for that weekly protein treatment, then try out this product. My hair ALWAYS feels so much stronger after using this product. When I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration after it, it helps soften up my hair while keeping the strength from the DC. (New regimen I think?) But anyway, I was hoping it would help soften up my hair but it does not and I'm not even mad because it didn't promise that it would. However, it did everything it said it would. My hair always feels stronger, the breakage decreases drastically and I did feel the difference in just one use! At least it doesn't lie.

It runs kind of expensive at $15.99/8oz + shipping. I have one use left in my trial size from my CurlKit so after that I'll look for something less expensive and maybe buy this when I have money to blow. 

Rate: 8/10


You can buy the product online on Amazon or here: http://www.healthyhairjourney.com/Amino-Plus-Protein-Deep-Conditioning-Treatment.html

Much Love,
Dez.

First Impression || Terresentials Organic Mud Wash

Okay so I've always wanted to try the Terresentials Mud Wash ever since I saw my favorite Natural Hair Vlogger, Naptural85 rave about it. I finally ordered it about 2 weeks ago and tried it as soon as I got it.
Some background info: I have 4a hair around the front, 4b in the middle and 4c in the back.

 As you can see, I was pretty damn excited. Anyway, I used the mudwash like I used regular shampoo or conditioner. I parted my wet hair in sections, raked it through and then smoothed it onto my hair. There is a detox period of about 7 days but it requires you to wash your hair 3 times each day and I didn't want to waste my product or my time so I just left it on for 60 minutes and rinsed out. After letting my hair air dry, I noticed that my hair was stretched, moisturized and very soft even though I had NO PRODUCT in my hair. I didn't even condition because the website said not to and I wanted to follow the instructions as closely as possible.

Anyway, I like the product a lot but I feel like I'll only use it as a cleansing masque once every two weeks because the website tells you to use mostly natural products with the mud wash. I have a lot of products that are both au naturale and not so natural and I can't just throw them out or stop using them. The Terresentials product is great. I purchased the lavender scent mud wash, which smelled wonderful. It left my hair stretched and soft but it is expensive ($19.50/8oz if you count shipping) and it would require me to drop most of my other products. However my hair was VERY clean and was not stripped at all. It washes out very well too and there was almost no need for detangling after. My mom actually asked if I had a little blow out because my hair was so stretched when it had dried. The product is completely organic and certified by the USDA.
I can see why it works so well for Naptural85 though because most, if not all, of the products she uses on her hair are natural/organic/homemade so why not?

Anyway, I give Terresentials an 8/10 for a first impression. Below, you can find a link to their website and Naptural85's video review of the product.

Terresentials Website - http://www.terressentials.com/haircare.html
Naptural85's video review - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR3n1GCQQQk

July Curlkit + 3 Product Reviews

So a few days ago I got my first Curlkit so I decided to try out a few things.

Ur Curly Soya Shampoo

Ingredients

Artesian Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Taurate, PEG 150 Distearate, Polyquat 10, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polysorbate 20, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Fragrance, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinine. 

*** silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, glycerin free

What I think: 
I used it on my hair which was due for a wash and I loved the feeling I got. I don't like using shampoo so much but this one looks like a keeper. It has a great minty scent you can tell that the Tea Tree Oil is in there. My scalp felt tingly when using it and I'm sure my hair was clean. However, I'm not sure if it made any sort of difference to my hair at all. Rate: 7/10 Cost: $8.99

Hydratherma Naturals Deep Conditioner

Ingredients:

Water/Aqua, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl  Acetate, Glycerin,  Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis  Leaf Juice, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed  Corn Protein, Retinyl  Palmitate, Ascorbyl  Palmitate, Phytonadione, Pyridoxine HCL, Biotin, Sodium PCA, Betaine,  Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine,  Glutamic Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Fragrance/Parfum, Methyl Gluceth-10, PEG-45M, Triethanolamine, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.   PARABEN FREE
What I Think:Right off the bat, I hate the smell. HATE HATE HATE HATE IT. It's so weird. I can't describe it. HOWEVER, this product is one of the few that actually does what it says. The instructions said to leave it in for about 10-20min but I did 60min to really get it in there. I loved the results though. I wouldn't say that my hair felt super soft like it does with other deep conditioners, it felt normal. However, my hair felt strong and the breakage was minimal (just like it said). The consistency is thin and I was afraid that I would use the whole 2oz on my hair but I barely used that much. It didn't take much to cover my hair, which is shoulder length when straight and halfway down my neck when curly. I'm keeping my bottle until the winter because I feel like it would help me more later than right now.

Rate: 7/10 Cost: $15.99/8oz

Shea Whip

Ingredients:

raw unrefined shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed castor oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin e oil, fragrance oils.

What I Think:I think this is a great product. It's completely natural too! The one that I got was the Coconut Lime Verbena and I didn't really like the smell too much. It was kind of citrus-y. I only used a dime sized amount and it was enough to cover my entire head. My hair felt very soft immediately after using it. I'll definitely buy a full sized one after I finish my trial size and my Cantu Shea Butter. Rate: 9/10 Cost: $12.00/8oz
Watch the video review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ICRcik_mOM

Product Review || Eco Styler Gel + Shea Moisture Curling Souffle

Eco Styler Gel

What it says: 

• No flaking, no tack and anti-itch

• Contains 100% pure olive oil

• Safe for all hair types

• Alcohol-free

Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel contains 100% Pure Olive Oil for deep down conditioning while maintaining maximum hold. Contains UV Protection and helps your scalp regulate its natural moisture system. For all hair types. Used by professionals.

Ingredients:

Water , Carbomer , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein , PVP , Glycerin , Triethanolamine , Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate , Polysorbate 20 , Tetrasodium EDTA , Olive Oil , Fragrance , Blue #1 , Yellow #11

What I Think:

I personally love it. It has been a staple for many naturals since forever. I use it for twist outs, wash n go's and sometimes just to hold and define my curls. The first time I used it, I used too much and I had a few flakes but if you use the right amount, you'll be fine. You know when it's too much when it turns white on your hair so just squeeze it out. I got the 32oz for $4.49 at Sally Beauty Supply with my Beauty Club Card. Sometimes it's even close to $3 when it's on sale. Obviously, this is a bargain. My hair never felt hard or crunchy with this product. On the tub it says it has maximum hold and it DOES! But sometimes I want a softer hold especially on my wash and go's so I add some EVOO or Coconut oil so loosen the hold. 

Rate: 9/10

Shea Moisture Curling Souffle

What it says: 

This all natural styling souffle with agave nectar and flax seed oil defines and promotes curls, with a soft, smooth after feel. Coconut and flax seed oils nourish and hydrate hair, seal the hair shaft to protect against external pollutants and assist natural oil retention. The natural humectant complex of agave nectar, coconut oil, glycerin and shea butter moisturizes, conditions and boosts shine without frizz.
• Does not contain silicones, polymers or PVP which could cause build-up and damage hair over time
• Ethically traded ingredients sustainably produced
• Sulfate-free and color safe
• No animal cruelty
Made in USA
Scoop gel into hands and distribute evenly through cleansed wet or damp hair, following conditioning. Comb through in sections with detangling comb or hands to shape curls. Style as desired, allowing some time for drying. Use on damp hair will result in looser, wavy curls, on wet hair expect riotous curls. Use on dry hair to minimize fly-aways and frizz. When using a blow dryer, choose a cool or warm setting. Use sparingly - this is a very moisturizing product.

Ingredients: 

Aqueous Infusion of Agave Teqilana Leaf Extract and Sugar Cane Extract , Pectin , Vegetable Glycerin , Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract (Baobab) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Tocopherol (Vitamin E) , Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract (Linseed/Flax) , Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract , Potassium Sorbate , Proprietary Essential Oil Blend

What I Think:

It kind of feels like unfinished jello and its jiggly. You have to stab your finger into it and scoop it for you to get any out though. It smells pleasant, not to perfumey or anything. It does a nice job with moisturizing and It works every well with other products. In the warmer months it may be a little much because it gets oily at times. It even says on the jar not to use that much of it because a little goes a long way so pay attention to that. It gives great definition, however I find it the most defining when paired with the Eco Styler Gel. I do love the fact that it contains natural products. I did not find this at Sally's but it was at Walgreens for $9.99 and you can also find it at Target or your local Beauty Supply Store. Sometimes Target has it on sale for about half the price.  

Rate: 7/10

Both Products Wash and Go (first two pictures) and a Twist out (last picture)